HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill Presentation Late 11/02/2009From: Diane ReillyTorres [dreillytorres@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 9:27 AM
To: Mike Ban; Da,~e: Glass; David .Babbitt; Brown, John_;.Mike Harris; Mike Healy; Pam Torliatt;
'Teresa Barrett; Tiffany Renee; -City Clerk
Cc: 'Susan Simons'; Angelique.Fry; Denise; dennifer'Kirchner; Julie Roseman; Lynn Richardson; ,
Marcella; Michael Zenone; Moises Valesquez; Patricia Boyd; corey:young@arguscourier.com;
Patio,,van„ Deborah; edanly@c.petalurna:ca.us ,
Subject: late Doc-Petaluma's Animal Eradication Program=Mon 7pm
Dear Mike, My husband Larry Torres Sr and I are contacting you regarding the presentation you are giving the
City Council this Monday. Nov 2 7pm titled
Annual Maintenance of Polishing Wetlands for_Control of Vegetation and Invasive Plant Species and
in of the Endangered Californ
Presentation
Your PPT refers to the ECWRF Biological Opinion,
which specifically states....." Bullfrog eradication program ........... Qualified biologists approved by USFWS
will be on-site during the dewatering to .capture, count, and remove any adult bullfrogs and other predatory
species found...... Biologists will work in the daytime during the draining ofahe wetlands, and also at night to
ensure as many adult bullfrogs are captured as possible ............Captured bullfrogs and other predators will be
counted and sized for incorporation into the program data.
What,are the names of the qualified biologists? How much are they getting paid to work all day and night?
What: other "predatory species" could they remove? Where do they remove`them to? Are they killed? How
much does that cost?
On August 5, 2005 the Council. passed a number of items re Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility Project. The
Council adopted a revised Mitigation Monitoring Program (Reso 2005-130 N.C.S. Certifying the 2005
Construction Addendum to the Water Recycling Facility and River Access Improvements EIR; Approving the
Project Revisions; Making Finding ofFact~ and_Adopting a Revised,Mitigation Monitoring Program Therefore.
(Ban/Orr))
4C 1 EIRAddendum
You;are responsible for the overall implementation and administration of the program which includes ,
monitoring of financial resources associated with the program.
Regarding mitigation measure PD-13 Mosquito Protection. I am !aware' a few months ago the mosquitoes
became so prevalent the Mosquito Abatement District became concerned for the public health and the area had
to be treated by helicopter, at a substantial cost to the City. How much did that cost?
From what I understand `andplease tell me if I am wrong, there was a DEIR + approved-FEIR, findings;
overriding considerations; mitigation mon program for this project. Then in 2004 the city expanded the project
and wanted to expedite the process.. There was a Preliminary BA done that includes the mitigations that are now
being implemented.
Usually the public'can' comment on mitigations/project in an EIR, but.:that.didn't occur. Many cities mitigation's
include non-lethal ways to~keep certain animals out. Richmond is an example. Why can't they relocate the
bullfrogs?'.Because it is a BullfrogEradication Program?
The taff;report I;read back:in 2'004-OS said when the city asked for the permits from the USFWS at first they
said no public access. They don't .let anyone near where the birds nest. Then it says the City explained one of the
reasons for the project was to create trails and public access to them. The City did not budge on that but made
many concessions in order to get the permits. Only trained Docent tours, mitigation to eradicate predators
EVEN native animals and other wildlife.
The way I read this is because the'. City built the waste water plant where there were existing wetlands, plants;
habitat, etc they have to restore what was there before and can only accomplish that by keeping out any plant;
animal, etc. that isn't Tisted on the State or Federal list. This cost a lot of money to do and Larry and I have a
hard time with that part.
Has the Wildlife Services division of USDA been .contacted to conduct an
assessment of predator control needs in and adjacent to the project area so
recommendations will be incorporated into the ongoing predator control efforts?
Mike, 'I'o us this is a moral issue. You are doing your job, that you are paid to do, and as ratepayers we
indirectly pay your salary. That's OICbut we do not want to pay to have animals killed. Do we have a choice?
This isn't just me, my husband wants an answer from you, The water bill. is in his name.
I thought I was done with this after the Feral Cat issue and to the City Council and Mayor who said lets move
on, well this is like a slapp in the face...
correct me if i have read this wrong, Diane Reilly Torres